June 16, 2010 (Arlington, VA) – Many colleges and universities receive applications from undocumented students despite the financial and administrative barriers inhibiting their access to postsecondary education. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), sixty percent of colleges and universities--including many of the largest and most selective institutions--received applications from undocumented students. Research findings.
Among the 60 percent of colleges that reported applications from undocumented students, a breakdown by institutional characteristics revealed:
• Over 70 percent of public colleges and universities received applications from undocumented students, while more than half of private institutions received such applications;
• 80 percent of medium- to large-sized institutions (those with more than 3,000 students) received application from undocumented students;
• Among the most selective institutions, 86 percent received applications for admission from undocumented students
Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented high school graduates seek to pursue their college aspirations amid national immigration debates and scarce financial aid resources and work opportunities. While the survey results suggest that large state universities are the most likely to receive undocumented student applications, colleges reporting undocumented applicants represented a wide range of institutions across institutional size, selectivity and region.
In high schools and colleges across the country, college admission counseling professionals work with tens of thousands of undocumented students to help realize their educational and career potential. However, undocumented students’ college aspirations are often put on hold because of limited financial resources and fear of deportation. Since 2001, NACAC has advocated on behalf of the DREAM Act to provide undocumented students a safe learning environment and an opportunity to become contributing members of society.
"NACAC's research reinforces what we already know: that, despite numerous challenges, undocumented students are seeking to further their education at public colleges and universities," said Muriel A. Howard, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). "AASCU is advocating for passage of the DREAM Act because we believe it is an educational imperative that will play a vital role in developing the nation's workforce by supporting these students pursuit of educational and career opportunities beyond high school graduation from American public schools," she said.
“NACAC has supported the DREAM Act since its inception and continues to advocate for its passage to ensure that these students, many of whom have stellar academic achievements in high school, will be afforded the opportunity to pursue a college education in the U.S.,” said Joyce Smith, NACAC CEO. “Demographic trends require that our leaders take a hard look at the future and the potential these students represent to the nation.”
About NACAC:
NACAC is an Arlington, VA-based education association of more than 11,000 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association, founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice. More information about NACAC is available at www.nacacnet.org. To learn more about NACAC’s activity on behalf of the DREAM Act, please visit our DREAM Act page.